A Million Little Things Review: The Talk (Season 3 Episode 4)
Yet again, it’s very hard to care about anyone on A Million Little Things Season 3 Episode 4, “The Talk.”
It’s wonderful at telling stories about mental health, so Rome and Regina’s situation evokes the most emotion from me. But even their story has less impact than usual.
Shanice is an intriguing character. Depression in Black women is an important issue to explore. But having Rome and Regina worry she’s dropping out of the movie, only to then reveal her depression, does nothing to move the plot forward.
In fact, none of these stories move the plot much at all. Filler episodes are sometimes necessary on network TV shows with longer seasons. But “The Talk” is meant to be the mid-season finale.
Even giving A Million Little Things grace for the different TV schedule this season, the nicest thing to say about where this episode ends for everyone is that the timing is unfortunate.
No disrespect to the actor, but it’s very difficult to spend time with Theo at all, let alone watch the Savilles deal with his newfound interest in the female body.
Obviously, it’s inevitable. Theo is smart but young for his age. Using “The Talk” with Theo to push Katherine and Eddie to talk about their sex life doesn’t work as well as it’s meant to.
But the biggest issue with this storyline is that Eddie is depressed, but A Million Little Things is already invested in Rome’s (generally good) journey through depression.
So, A Million Little Things is blaming Eddie’s depression on his disability — which is an absolutely disgusting way to represent disability.
Eddie’s struggles with anger, depression, and even his body, through feeling desirable, are real things someone might go through after an accident like he’s had.
But Eddie keeps falling into the most stereotypical tropes and ideas about disability and it’s still exhausting to watch. There is nothing heartwarming about watching Eddie say that his “body is broken” and that he’s nervous to have sex with his wife.
I’m not sure if they have a disability consultant on set, but I’m pretty sure I’m not the only disabled person who is sick and tired of disability being portrayed as a sad and sexless life.
I’m feeling pretty icy and over it all — but nothing is worse than Sophie’s audition plot.
With all respect to the talented young actress, the song Sophie sings outside of the audition building to get the program director’s attention is nothing special.
Sophie’s journey with music is sporadic but present on A Million Little Things. But it makes no sense that Gary is at her audition and Eddie isn’t.
Eddie’s been a part of her musical journey since the beginning, and there is a story about disability somewhere in having Eddie (physically or emotionally) struggle to be there for Sophie.
It’s certainly a more original idea than a sex drought. But COVID is coming to Boston so it’s about to get even more draining and traumatic to watch.
A Million Little Thoughts:
- I give Jamie and Maggie’s storyline a B-
- There has to be a better way of introducing Darcy’s PTSD than what they’ve done.
- Darcy comparing her PTSD experience with knowing what it feels like for Eddie not to want to have sex is just like random strangers telling me they broke their leg once. The experiences are different, Karen. How is she a physical therapist?
What did you think of this episode of A Million Little Things? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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A Million Little Things airs Thursdays at 10/9c on ABC.
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Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.